NEW ORLEANS, La. – The signs of prosperous growth are emanating out of the the Wilberforce University baseball program, with four Bulldogs earning HBCUAC postseason honors – a strong indicator of the program's rapid rise. 

Leading the way, sophomore Christopher Alcantara-Diaz was named both the conference's Most Valuable Player and Hitter of the Year, while also securing First Team All-HBCUAC honors. 

One of the league's most dangerous bats, Alcantara-Diaz finished the regular season ranked fifth in batting average (.410), second in home runs (10), and third in RBI (55). The right-handed designated hitter recorded at least one hit in 26 of 35 games, including seven of the final eight contests. 

His dominant stretch at the plate also earned him back-to-back HBCUAC Player of the Week honors, along with NAIA National Player of the Week recognition for the week ending April 12. 

Freshman Junior Veras-Vasquez added to the accolades, earning HBCUAC Freshman of the Year honors after finishing third in the conference with nine home runs and fifth with 41 RBI. The Cincinnati native posted an impressive .339/.443/.653 slash line, highlighted by seven doubles and two triples. 

Senior Joe Mendy and junior Darius Woodson were also recognized as First Team All-HBCUAC selections. 

Mendy closed the regular season on a tear, recording hits in 11 of the final 12 games while slashing .394/.465/.606 with 10 doubles, two triples, and three home runs. Woodson led the conference with 16 doubles and posted a stellar .411/.541/.581 slash line. 

Wilberforce now turns its attention to the postseason, opening play in the Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Baseball Championships at 4:30 p.m. Saturday against West Division No. 2 seed SUNO.